Chapter 81

Two days later, Gale paid a visit to the Monson family to discuss the engagement arrangements.

By convention, Eloise should have received her, but Gale refused. "I demand to see Athena," she declared.

Henry and Eloise stood frozen in shock at these words.

Traditionally, marriage arrangements were always decided entirely by parents and elders in the family. For someone to make such a direct demand to meet the younger generation was absolutely unheard of.

The couple's faces fell instantly, their expressions darkening with visible displeasure.

But Gale remained resolute. Unable to refuse her outright, they had no choice but to instruct a servant to summon Athena.

Before long, Athena arrived in the main hall.

Gale shot a glance at Henry and Eloise. With visible reluctance, the couple rose to their feet and excused themselves from the hall.

As Eloise brushed past Athena, she shot her a meaningful glance and instructed in a low voice, "Athena, stay with Her Highness for now. Your mother will join you shortly."

Athena ignored her completely, leaving Eloise no choice but to depart with visible resentment.

The room now held only Athena and Gale.

After Athena bowed respectfully, Gale waved her up impatiently. "I summoned you here today to deliver a message."

This wasn’t a negotiation; it was a declaration.

Gale was merely conveying Ferris’s words. "After you marry into my family, you shall have full authority over all household affairs. Should anything befall my son…"

At this, Gale’s eyes reddened with unshed tears. Choking back her grief, she forced out the words. "Should anything happen to my son, you needn’t mourn him. You’re free to leave whenever you wish."

At these words, Athena stared in astonishment at Gale.

The confusion in Athena’s eyes only fueled Gale’s anger. She snapped, "Well, I never realized you had such tricks up your sleeve, Athena. You’ve got my son completely wrapped around your finger, and now you’ve even managed to secure your own future, haven’t you?"

Her venomous tone suddenly made Athena realize something.

She thought, 'Wait… could Ferris actually like me?

'But how could that be? He clearly detests me.

'Every time he sees me, he turns on his heel and leaves, as if he couldn’t wait to put as much distance between us as possible."

Athena couldn’t make sense of the deeper meaning when Gale’s bitter voice cut in. "This was his dying wish, and as his mother, I have no choice but to honor it. But let me warn you, Athena, don’t even think about getting your hands on our assets…"

"I can save him," Athena's abrupt declaration caught Gale completely off guard.

Gale froze for a moment, then her face contorted with rage. She spat, "Who do you think you are? So many doctors and imperial physicians have been at their wits’ end! If you’re just trying to curry favor with me, spare me your pathetic excuses."

Athena let out a quiet sigh, then reached into her sleeve, withdrew an object, and gently placed it into Gale’s hand.

The moment Gale saw the object, her pupils dilated sharply, trembling with shock.

It was an exquisite silver bell, etched with intricate patterns. The words on it read: [Herb Hall].

She stared at Athena, then at the silver bell in her hand, her eyes wide with utter disbelief. "How could this be? This is impossible!" she gasped. "The silver bell is the only token to enter Edwin's Herb Hall. Only those who enter can meet him. But Edwin has been missing for three years!"

The truth dawned on Gale in that instant.

She stared blankly at Athena, then suddenly sprang to her feet. Her voice trembling, she stammered, "You… you’re Edwin?"

Athena slowly shook her head, sorrow clouding her eyes. "My mentor passed away long ago," she said softly, "I am his only disciple."

Her lashes fluttered slightly, veiling the sorrow in her eyes.

Gale collapsed into the chair in despair, her chest heaving violently.

The next instant, as she looked at Athena again, the spark of hope suddenly rekindled in her once lifeless eyes.

Gale moved toward Athena and was about to kneel before her when Athena swiftly caught her arm. Athena said, "Your Highness, what are you doing?"

Tears streaming down her face, Gale choked out, her voice trembling, "Three years I’ve searched for you, never dreaming you were right before my eyes! Just cure my son, and I’ll agree to anything, anything at all!"

With that, Gale completely broke down, her regal composure shattered as she slumped forward in uncontrollable sobs.

Athena helped her sit back in the chair and said calmly, "All I ask is that you keep my secret. That’s my only condition."

"Then… what about the engagement?" Gale asked eagerly, her eyes shining with hope.

"Your Highness, please help me delay the engagement until Ferris recovers," Athena said, her heart swelling with emotion.

She never knew Ferris felt this way about her, but her heart had long since gone numb.

Athena thought, 'My heart has no room left for anyone else.

'If I accept Ferris's kindness now, I'll owe him an emotional debt I can never repay.

'I cure him, and he keeps my secret. That way, we are even.'

Gale fell silent. In her heart, she still hoped that once Ferris recovered, he would marry a girl from an equally noble family.

As for Athena, though she was a miracle healer, her reputation had already been tarnished the moment she set foot in a place like the military camp. No respectable woman should ever go there.

Gale had to admit that Athena was being quite considerate in how she handled things.

Gale gave a firm nod. "Very well, you have my word."

Athena and Gale exchanged a knowing smile, and the Princess visibly relaxed.

With everything settled, Gale sent for Eloise and Henry.

Before long, Eloise and Henry entered, their faces adorned with diplomatic smiles.

Eloise feigned nonchalance as she said, "It seems Her Highness and Athena have hit it off splendidly since you have talked for so long."

Eloise looked at Athena expectantly, hoping she would say something.

But Athena ignored her expectant gaze, lowering her head to sip her tea.

Gale was positively glowing with joy, her smile radiant. "Athena and I have found an instant connection. For our family to welcome such a wonderful girl is truly our greatest fortune."

As she spoke, Gale shot Eloise a meaningful look, her eyes glinting with a hint of hidden mockery.

She thought, 'If Eloise ever discovered just who her real daughter was, how bitterly it would haunt her forever!

'A woman who would even exploit her own flesh and blood was no good after all.'

Eloise couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off ever since Athena had that private conversation with Gale.

Previously, Gale treated Athena with open contempt, never giving her a kind look or word.

But now, Gale’s fondness for her seemed to come straight from the heart, so genuine it took her by surprise.

The way she looked at Athena was strange, different somehow.

It wasn’t the way one’d look at a junior, more like the way they’d regard someone truly remarkable.

Henry looked eagerly at Gale. "Has the marriage alliance between our two houses been finalized, Your Highness?"

"Everything is settled," Gale replied with a smile, "But we still need to carefully select an auspicious date. After all, this is a lifelong matter and deserves our utmost care."

Henry and Eloise exchanged bewildered glances as they thought, 'What is going on?

'Just moments ago, she was in such a rush to get engaged, so why the sudden change of heart?

'Moreover, we've heard that Ferris has been gravely ill for quite some time. They even have a coffin prepared. Wasn't that precisely because they feared the worst might happen?'

Henry and Eloise exchanged utterly bewildered glances, but since Gale didn’t elaborate, they didn’t dare to press further.

After seeing Gale off, Eloise turned to Athena. "Weren't we supposed to discuss your engagement today? Why did Her Highness leave just like that without even mentioning it?"

She was tempted to ask if Athena had said something to offend her, causing the engagement to fall through.

Athena chuckled lightly. "What could possibly be the matter? It’s simply that the two weddings are scheduled too close together. Her Highness just wants to pick another date, that’s all."

'That excuse was far too flimsy,' Eloise thought to herself.